Sacred To The memory Of John Samuel Pyne Who Departed This Life 24th January 1890 Aged 21 Years How We Need Thy Fond Eye’s Ray To Light Again Our Darkened Way Only God Can Tell Today We Yet Weep Not O’er Your Clay Happier Thou Than We Who Stay

John Samuel Pyne was born 3 July 1868 in Gympie Queensland to, James Payne and Emily Baker.

John (Jack) Pyne worked as a butcher and was a well known and respected Cairns athlete. He was described as one of the best liked and most promising young fellows in the District.

Jack suffered severe internal injuries when his horse, “Pickpocket”, fell and rolled over him. “Poor Jack” was the comment from men, women and children on hearing that this promising young man was seriously hurt. After the accident Jack was taken to the residence of his sister, Mrs George Mackay, where he passed away that afternoon.

As soon as Jack’s death was known in Cairns flags were at once flown at half-mast and shutters put up at all the business premises.

A report from the Cairns Post says: “His headstone was a work of art that was entrusted to Mr. L. Severin and is typical of the heart of oak it is reared in memory of, being a branch of an oak tree bearing leaves and acorns upon a mass of rock set upon a massive block of pure white marble, an anchor and cord is on one side and upon the stones reclines a slab on which is engraved the name of the deceased John Samuel Pyne. Upon the pedestal which supports the whole is a verse most appropriately chosen”. Mr. Severin was one of the first pioneers of Cairns.